Shiraz Persian Restaurant

Church Road in Hove's got a decent food scene these days, and Shiraz slots in perfectly with the kind of cooking that actually means something. You're looking at a proper neighbourhood restaurant where they're not mucking about with fusion nonsense—this is the real deal. The room's warm without being fussy, the sort of place where families pile in on Friday nights and groups of mates claim a table like they own it. The menu reads like a love letter to Persian cuisine: those slow-cooked khoresh stews that taste like they've been simmering since yesterday, kebabs with char marks that actually matter, and rice that's got that crispy, golden bottom layer (tahdig) everyone's after. Staff know what they're doing and won't pretend you need to book six weeks ahead.